Company Town Film Profit Report

The report is based on projections of total U.S. box-office gross from a consensus of industry sources and studio financial models. The U.S. returns (approximately 55% of gross) represent only 20% of a film’s final revenue, which includes overseas theatrical, video and TV income. The industry marketing average of $30 million per film is factored into these profit equations, as is the relative strength of specific film genres in foreign markets. Results for the weekend of July 17-19:

$$ Mega-Moneymakers

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Movie title Studio rank millions in millions The Truman Show Paramount 9 $65 $130 The X-Files 20th Century Fox 11 65 85 Mulan Buena Vista 7 100 120 Dr. Dolittle 20th Century Fox 5 68 130

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$ Minor Moneymakers

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Box- Estimated office cost, in Armageddon Buena Vista 3 $150 Madeline Sony 8 18 Small Soldiers DreamWorks SKG 6 58 The Mask of Zorro Sony 1 73 Something About Mary 20th Century Fox 4 23

Projected U.S. box-office receipts, Armageddon $175 Madeline 25 Small Soldiers 50 The Mask of Zorro 100 Something About Mary 70

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? Tossups

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Projected Box- Estimated U.S. box-office office cost, in receipts, Six Days, Seven Nights Buena Vista 10 $65 $72 Out of Sight Universal 12 45 40 Lethal Weapon 4 Warner Bros. 2 135 130

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Notes: Cost estimates are for production only. Only half of box-office receipts come back to the studio.

Researched by RICHARD NATALE

If you have information or comments about the chart, call (213) 237-2001 or send e-mail to company.town@latimes.com. Send faxes to (213) 237-7837.

For weekly box-office listings, see Calendar section on Tuesdays.